BREAKING NEWS ....
NEW RELEASE LightFoot Via Francigena Guides, Edition 4
Available NOW
Besançon to Vercelli - colour
The black/white edition will be available from June 01, 2012
Vercelli to Rome - colour
The black/white edition will be available from June 01, 2012
Available from June 15, 2012
Canterbury to Besançon - colour and black/white
Another book from 'Your Camino' author, Sylvia Nilsen
Pilgrim Footprints on the sands of Time
In the Middle Ages millions of faithful risked long and dangerous journeys to shrines scattered across the Christian world in order to earn indulgences for remission of sins and time spent in purgatory. These included Kings and paupers, Knights and vagabonds. The church imposed penitential pilgrimage on criminals and wrong-doers.
Set in the turbulent 12th century, King Henry clashed with the church in his attempts to exert Royal authority in England resulting in a murder that had far reaching consequences, beyond the borders of the realm
Lord and Lady FitzUrse are instructed by the King to make a pilgrimage to the tomb of St James the Greater in Spain in order to save the family after Richard FitUrse murdered Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
William Beaumont, a young healer who is in love with Alicia, niece of Lady FitzUrse, is overjoyed when he is asked to accompany the family and their servants on this journey.
They face many hardships, dangers, an attempted murder and intrigue on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
What did the gypsy woman they met in Paris mean when she predicted that Alicia and William were soul mates but only meant to be together when the water carrier rose over the horizon? Who is trying to kill Sir Robert and Alicia?
One fateful night, a shocking event changes their lives forever.
This is story of blind faith, superstition, love, sacrifice, adventure and intrigue.
LightFoot Guides mentioned in The Guardian! Walking the pilgrim's path to Rome
Pilgrimages come in many forms and according to the people who do them. Until now we have tended to focus on the well trodden routes, or at least the most recognised, but since meeting Ryan, we have reviewed our understanding of the word. Ryan is cycling to Thailand, hoping to raise money for ACET (Aids Care Eduation & Training - the only one of its kind), a charity that has lost its primary source of funding, and is danger of will closing. If you want to know more .... https://www.justgiving.com/jerseytoasia
Now you can see the customer reviews for Your Camino too!
Note:
Due to the developing and changing state of the Via Francigena, purchasers of the LightFoot Guides to the Via Francigena should always check for the latest updates on this site.
Pò river crossing
One of the greatest experiences of travelling the via Francigena is to cross the river Pò - Transitum Padi – by the ferry - Guado di Sigerico - between Corte Sant’Andrea and Soprarivo. The physical experience is complemented by the warm welcome from the ferryman – Danilo Parisi. Unfortunately a few pilgrims have reported that despite making arrangements in advance, the ferry has not arrived. This is because Danilo's boat engine was stolen and has had to be replaced, but he assures us that he is now able to provide the ferry service.
If you arrive at Corte Sant’Andrea and are unable to cross the Pò by ferry, the best forward route is to follow the newly red and white signed route on the north side of the river and to take the busy road bridge into Piacenza. However this will require walking some 25km before you can find alternate accommodation. As a result we recommend that you:
1) make your arrangements with Danilo 1 or 2 days in advance (tel:0523 771607 or mobile:388 6933850) - phoning preferably in the evening.
2) phone on the day of your crossing to confirm.
3) consider spending the prior night at Orio Litta or be prepared to back track the 3km to Orio Litta.
Via Francigena ... New Signs/New Site
Following our 2010 report on route signing in Italy, the Italian ministry that is responsible for the via Francigena has taken a rather more relaxed view of the type ofsign that they will allow. As a result a volunteer group Associazione Camminando Sulla Via Francigena has added red and white painted markers to the the signing along the entire route from Pont St Martin to Rome. They have also taken the opportunity to make some improvements to the route and to construct a web-site that provides interactive maps to the entire route in Italy. Full details of the excellent project can be found at: www.camminandosullaviafrancigena.com
Update Via Francigena accommodation in France
In Tergnier - none of
the hotels adjacent to the station are open. Two have closed
permanently one is closed because of illness, although it does not look as
though it has been open for some time and one has been turned into what we
would
describe as a DHSS hostel. There is another hotel in the vicinity about
1.5km
away but it is only small and unfortunately was full so pilgrims should
book ahead. We
decided to catch a train to St Quentin, which is a much nicer place, 5 mins
and 3
euros and returned the next morning to continue.
Our thanks to Steve Thompson for this information
Digital Editions
We have added the LightFoot Guide Digital Editions to our list. Available for use on any platform that supports Adobe Reader or Adobe Digital editions ... iPhone, ipad, android etc. Nevertheless, we will retain the print editions for as long as people continue to ask for them.
The LightFoot Guide to the Via Domitia Arles to Rome
The LightFoot Guide to the Via Domitia Arles to Rome (Linking the St James Way and the Via Francigena) and the Companion to this guide can be ordered now. As with all the routes presented in our LightFoot Guide series, we have followed every centimetre of the via Domitia ourselves - this time, accompanied by our horse, Nellie, and our dog, Flea. You can read about how we did it here.
3rd edition Via Francigena Guides They will not be revised this year
Updates relating to accommodation and the route can be downloaded from the Guide Related Downloads Page.
Inevitable, but unpleasant
Our books are being offered as free PDF copies. Worse still, the person doing this must have been a recipient of our free updates, offered to people who have purchased our guides in the past – a total betrayal of trust. Worst of all, anyone thinking this is a great opportunity to obtain a free guide, will find that it is out of date and therefore inaccurate. Unlike many other guide writers for the via Francigena, Paul and I have not received a grant, self-fund everything we do and make absolutely no profit, which makes this discovery even more distressing. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to stop copyright theft, but we have withdrawn our PDF updates for the 2010 editions and will not provide them in the future. A regrettable decision, but a loss inflicted on pilgrims by pilgrims.
Pilgrim Hostel, Arles
Paul and Babette have taken their pilgrim passion one step further by opening a hostel in the centre of Arles, just 100 metres off the St James Way. They have beds for 6 people, but can squeeze in more with mattresses on the floor if necessary. Also on offer: internet and wifi access, along with a rapidly expanding Pilgrim Resource centre - books, maps and guides for a number of pilgrimage routes. Breakfast and an evening meal are provided, without charge, but donations are appreciated - 10% of which will go to support a project in Bolivia.